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79. श्री नेमिनाथ स्वामी
I
सौराष्ट्र के शासक राजा समुद्रविजय थे और उनकी रानी शिवरानी थी। उनके पुत्र के रूप में श्रावण बहुल पंचमी के दिन श्री नेमिनाथ का जन्म हुआ। वे जन्म से ही अत्यन्त बलशाली थे । खेल प्रतियोगिता में वे अपने साथियों को आसानी से हरा देते थे । गिरनार के जंगलों में जो सिंह रहते थे उनके केसरों को पकड़कर वे खेलते थे । ऊँची क़द के शरीर वाले होने के कारण वे देखनेवालों को आनन्दित करते थे। एक बार अपनी माँ की सलाह पर अपने वंशज श्री कृष्ण और बलराम को देखने के लिए द्वारका गये । तब श्री कृष्ण और बलराम घर पर नहीं थे । श्री नेमिनाथ महल के अन्दर गये और एक एक कमरे में रखे हुए हथियारों को एक एक करके कौतूहल और उत्सुकता के साथ देखते
79 SHRI NEMINATHASWAMY
Shri Neminatha Swamy is the 22nd of the Tirthankaras. His parents were King Samudravijaya and Queen Sivarani of Saurashtra (modern day Gujarat) on a certain Sravana Bahula Panchami (corresponding to the fifth day in the waning phase of the fifth month in the lunar calendar). From birth itself Shri Neminathaswamy was a person of Physical prowess. He easily overcame all his playmates in the daily games. The nearby Girnar forests were the habitat of Lions then (even as now). Shri Neminatha used to play with lions as though they were pet dogs. He used to catch hold of their manes and thus control them. Long armed and tall he was a feast for the eyes. One day, at the suggestion of his mother, he went to the city of Dwaraka. At that time neither Shri Krishna nor Balarama was in the house. In the meantime, Shri Neminatha was curious to study the articles used by Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna's conch was Panchajanya, an eloquent and magnificient "Shanka”. Shri Neminatha was filled with wonder at the sight and was immediately filled with a desire
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